Synopsis

Movie Plot :

During a winter season in Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agent Cory Lambert discovers the frozen body of 18-year-old Natalie Hanson, without shoes or proper winter attire, and with a blood-stained groin. Rookie FBI special agent Jane Banner arrives to determine whether a murder has been committed. The next day, Jane learns from Natalie’s father that his daughter was dating a new boyfriend, but he does not know the man’s name or whereabouts. The autopsy returns findings of blunt trauma and sexual violence, and confirms Cory’s deduction that the girl had died from exposure, specifically pulmonary hemorrhage caused by rapid inhalation of sub-zero air. However, the medical examiner is unable to report that the victim was murdered, therefore preventing Jane from calling in an additional FBI investigative unit.

Cory learns that Natalie’s boyfriend is named Matt and works security at a nearby oil drilling site. The next day another body is discovered—this time male—nude and heavily ravaged by scavenging wildlife. Jane is told that the male body has been identified as Matt Rayburn, a security guard from the drilling rig. Cory then tells Jane about the death of his daughter three years before, whose body was discovered in the snow, following a party at his house while he and his wife had been out of town.

Jane, accompanied by Sheriff Ben and additional officers, visit the drill site where they meet several of the security guards, who tell her they haven’t seen Matt since he stormed off a few days ago following an argument with Natalie. When Jane tells the guards that she’s investigating Matt’s disappearance, they reveal their knowledge of the discovery of Natalie’s body, claiming they had learned of it by monitoring law enforcement radio channels. She points out that Natalie’s name was never mentioned over the radio. One of the visiting officers notices that the security guards have started to surround Jane and her team. The confrontation quickly escalates into an armed standoff as they argue over who has jurisdiction, which Jane finally defuses by asserting federal authority over the others. Jane insists that she wants to see where Matt has been bunking, and they resume their approach to the trailer.